Give Sabres a break

Town council often faces tough decisions—ones requiring long debate, delicate compromise, and perhaps a little soul-searching. Then there are times when the decision is much easier.
Giving the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres the “residential” rate for ice rental fees is one of those no-brainers.
Yes, team owner and president Carolyn Kellaway lives in Thunder Bay, but clearly it is Fort Frances that will reap the bulk of the spin-off benefits from having the SIJHL’s newest franchise based here.
And it’s not like the town will be giving up all that much in revenue. Based on booking a three-hour time slot during prime time, the difference between the $84/hr residential rate versus $101/hr for non-residents over 27 home games amounts to less than $1,400.
Surely the arena will recoup most of that money through higher concession sales during Sabres’ games—not to mention the extra windfall local businesses, especially hotels and restaurants, will enjoy when visiting teams come to town.
That revenue would be zero, zilch, zippo if Ms. Kellaway hadn’t chosen Fort Frances as home for her team—revenue certainly not worth losing over $1,400.
There’s also precedence for such a decision. Back in March, 2005, town council of the day changed the status of the Couchiching-owned Borderland Thunder from “non-resident” to “resident” in hopes of helping keep our initial SIJHL franchise afloat.
The Thunder eventually folded, but that was more to do with the team’s desire to join the Manitoba Junior Hockey League than anything else.
The bottom line is Ms. Kellaway has invested in Fort Frances. In return, the town should give the Jr. Sabres a break on ice rental fees, along with a cut of the canteen proceeds, to help cement what hopefully will be a long—and successful—return to the SIJHL.